Home » Jazz Musicians » Jerrod "J-Rod" Sullivan
Jerrod "J-Rod" Sullivan
Proficient, intentional, and consistent not only define Jerrod ‘J-rod’ Sullivan’s approach to music, but also his approach to life. Born in 1992, J-rod discovered his passion for music at the age of two, often drumming on pots and pans in his mother’s kitchen. Immersing himself in the diverse world of music, J-rod devoted countless hours to teaching himself the art of drumming, bass guitar, and music production.
In 2006, J-rod uploaded his first Youtube video, receiving positive feedback that reinforced his belief in using his musical talent to educate and inspire others. Committed to honing his craft, J-rod enrolled in the Atlanta Institute of Music, graduating in 2012, and later joined The 4 Korners band in 2013. With a growing online community of over 700K+ followers, J-rod’s brand transcends his talent, drawing in aspiring and talented musicians with his style, methods, and dedication.
J-rod's talent has led to collaborations with renowned artists such as Janet Jackson, Jeffrey Osborne, Avery Sunshine, Lalah Hathaway, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, and many more, showcasing his versatility and ability to work across a range of genres. Currently serving as the drummer for Janet Jackson, Jeffrey Osborne, and The 4 Korners, J-rod continues to make waves in the music industry through his passion and dedication.
Additionally, J-rod has recently reached a significant milestone in his career. His highly anticipated debut album, "The Comeback," is now available. This album is a culmination of his musical journey, showcasing his growth, passion, and unique artistic vision. With captivating melodies and a distinctive sound, "The Comeback" promises to leave a lasting impression on listeners and establish J-rod as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
In a world where dedication meets talent, J-rod stands as a beacon of inspiration, showing us that with hard work and passion, anything is possible.
Tags
Announcing The Gilmore's Inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award Recipient: Sullivan Fortner
Source:
AMT Public Relations
Winner of the largest financial gift in jazz for pianists today Watch awards ceremony streaming on The Gilmore’s YouTube Channel Pianist Sullivan Fortner has been named the recipient of The Gilmore’s inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award. One of the most prestigious honors in music, the Award was announced at a special ceremony held October 8, 2025, at The Jerome L. Greene Space in New York City. Marking the largest single gift ever dedicated solely to a jazz ...
read more
Ira Sullivan: Modern Music From Chicago
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Ira Sullivan's first album as a sideman was on Red Rodney's Modern Music From Chicago. Recorded in June 1955 for the Fantasy label, the album featured Red Rodney (tp,vcl), Ira Sullivan (tp,ts,as), Norman Simmons (p), Victor Sproles (b) and Roy Haynes (d). At the time Rodney was appearing at Chicago's Bee-Hive Club along with the musicians on this record date. It's a bebop session, and what all of these tigers have in common is that they all had played with ...
read more
Ira Sullivan: Blue Stroll
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Ira Sullivan, a trumpeter and saxophonist who played in Chicago in the 1950s and Miami in the 1960s and beyond, recording largely with Red Rodney and Lin Halliday, died September 21, 2020. He was 89. Among his finest albums as a leader was Blue Stroll. Recorded for Chicago's Delmark label in July 1959, Blue Stroll featured Sullivan (tp-1,as-2,ts-3,bar-4,peck hrn-5), Johnny Griffin (as-6,ts-7,bar-8), Jodie Christian (p), Victor Sproles (b) and Wilbur Campbell (d). The tracks are Campbell's Wilbur's Tune, My Old ...
read more
Ed Sullivan: Jazz and Pop
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Yesterday I posted a new YouTube video clip of Carmen McRae on The Ed Sullivan Show. Today, here are a nine more recent jazz and pop additions to the Sullivan YouTube channel: Here's Nancy Wilson singing Face It, Girl It's Over in 1968 Nancy told me when I interviewed her that she was pregnant when she sang this song on Ed Sullivan and had this dress specially made. As with all Nancy Wilson clips, watch how she arches her mouth... ...
read more
Maxine Sullivan in 10 Clips
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
The female jazz vocal starts with Maxine Sullivan. No knock on Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday or other great vocalists of the 1930s and '40s, but they were really show-time swing singers at the time. Sullivan was first to bring a conversational intimacy to the jazz vocal that was better suited to small rooms than theater stages. She began her singing career in the mid-1930s and her first recordings were in June 1937, with Claude Thornhill. Two months later, she had ...
read more
What’s Working in Indie Music Today: Lessons In Success from New Artist Model Member Mike Sullivan
Source:
HypeBot
One of the best ways to get new strategies and ideas for your music career is to look at what other musicians are doing. So Dave Kusek and Lindsey McGrath of the New Artist Model are putting together a series of case studies from talented and successful musicians who are pushing the envelope in the world of indie music. The first installment is musician Mike Sullivan. By Dave Kusek and Lindsay McGrath of the New Artist Model: Turn your passion for music ...
read more
Sullivan Fortner
Source:
Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
This may come a tad late as news but not too late—I trust—for enjoyment. Last spring, Sullivan Fortner won the Cole Porter Fellow In Jazz award of the American Pianists Association. Fortner is a 28-year-old New Orleanian who attracted favorable notice as the pianist in trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s quintet and for his work with other jazz artists including Christian Scott and Stefon Harris. The award and its $100,000 prize came in competition with four other rising pianists, Christian Sands, Zach ...
read more
Legendary Multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan Pays Homage To Former Bandmate And Trumpet Great Red Rodney
Source:
Decibel
New York, NY – Legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan will make a rare appearance next month (April 22-23) at New York’s Zinc Bar (82 West 3rd Street) to celebrate the life of the late jazz trumpet great Red Rodney. Sullivan, who turns 84 in May, was a longtime colleague of Red's since the early 50s and co-led the Red Rodney/Ira Sullivan Quintet during the 80s recording a handful of critically acclaimed records while touring extensively throughout the US and abroad. Beside ...
read more
"Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings" By Steve Sullivan
Source:
Steve Sullivan
From John Philip Sousa to Green Day, from Scott Joplin to Kanye West, from Stephen Foster to Coldplay, The Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings covers the vast scope of its subject with virtually unprecedented breadth and depth. Approximately 1,000 key song recordings from 1889 to the present are explored in full, unveiling the stories behind the songs, the recordings, the performers, and the songwriters. Beginning the journey in the era of Victorian parlor balladry, brass bands, and ragtime with ...
read more
Chicago Vocalist Rebecca Sullivan Debuts With "This Way, This Time," June 12
Source:
Terri Hinte Publicity
Rebecca Sullivan came into her own as a jazz vocalist in Chicago, where she’s been based since 2006 and where she’s frequently gigged with guitarist Mike Allemana. Their compelling musical chemistry is the main event on Sullivan’s forthcoming debut recording, This Way, This Time, a duo session that will be released on Rhyme or Reason Records on June 12. “Rebecca has a lovely, liquid instrument, often evocative of Billie Holiday yet completely personal and unpretentious,” says saxophonist Geof Bradfield, who ...
read more
